Is anybody else slightly irritated by this double barrelled idiot? I find his crusade against anything milk chocolate slightly offensive. Now I'm obviously going to favour Dairy Milk over everything else, but I appreciate the versatility of dark chocolate, and it's something I am trying to use more of in my department. I wouldn't get all snobby and pretentious over it.
I feel that after the recent rise of dark chocolate, Mr double barrel has a distinct air of band wagon about him, and it doesn't help that he is an obviously rich snob.
Maybe I'm being over protective of my favourite treat, but what does anybody else think?

Dairy Milk is good.

Dairy Milk is good.

April 14, 20099:27 am

Gracie

Chippenham, United Kingdom

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Hi Gareth,
Willie is a purist. He's hardly on a crusade against Milk Chocolate. This is the man who brought 100% cacao to the UK public, so even his 70% bar represents a huge change in his style.
Now, there is , as ever, a healthy dose of TV spin in his programmes, but he's not alone in thinking that your favourite is less than a true representation of good chocolate...in fact it barely meets the criteria for being called chocolate at all, and I think you'd be unlikely to find many on this site who share your enthusiasm! That said, everybody is entitled to their opinion...both you and Willie Harcourt-Cooze, so try not to take it personally!
You're already taking steps to explore the world of chocolate more thoroughly, and I'd encourage you to continue and taste a few high cocoa milk chocolate bars and see what you think. I love milk chocolate as well as dark and I'd agree that to suggest that "anything other than 70% or more is sacrilege", is a bit too militant, but it doesn't have to be all or nothing!

April 16, 20091:10 pm

garethmabbs

Birmingham, United Kingdom

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Unfortunately, due to certain restrictions, I am only allowed to use Cadbury chocolate which limits me to Bournville. That doesn't bother me too much as I am not the biggest fan of dark chocolate, but I'd like to think I'm savvy enough to realise that there is a growing demand for it, and it's a business opportunity to be explored.
I am also aware that, as this forum is called 70 %, I am not going to get much support in my enthusiasm for milk chocolate, but opinions or advice are always welcome.

Dairy Milk is good.

Dairy Milk is good.

April 16, 20094:08 pm

jifar

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Well I like milk chocolate and have tried some very good ones from Hotel Chocolat, Michel Cluizel, Valrhona, Lidl and Montezumas none of which I would describe as 'candy' and I find them to be a world apart from Dairy Milk and Hershey.

Many of Willies recipes involved adding large amounts of sugar, cream and butter to his 'superior' chocolate so why isn't he promoting a good milk chocolate. He know's there is a massive demand for it.

He wants to make money, he knows what people like and he apparently doesn't mind mixing his cacao with sugar and cream. I'm a bit perplexed.

April 16, 20094:53 pm

Gracie

Chippenham, United Kingdom

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That's very true, and I do believe he said that he was considering making a milk bar when he spoke at the Chocolatiers conference last year. As I said before, i don't think he is on a crusade against milk chocolate, I think he's trying to introduce fine chocolate to people who have yet to experience it, and his enthusiasm and passion for his product is genuine and to be commended!

I am just as passionate about my products and delight in getting people to taste what I produce and compare it mentally to what they are used to! This isn't snobbery, it's just exciting to think that you can open up a whole world of flavour to people who thought that chocolate came in only two varieties...dairy milk and galaxy! (and Gareth, that's not a dig at you!).
It's no different from the transformation in the wine industry...not so long ago the choice was Blue Nun or Liebfraumilch, but look at the choice now. People have learnt a whole lot about grape varieties, production methods and origins, and now they are better able to choose a wine which they will enjoy. I can only hope that our industry grows in the same way.

By the way Gareth, are you not able to experiment with any of the Green and Blacks stuff? That's Cadbury's too isn't it?

April 16, 20096:09 pm

Marcellus

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Here's another one for milk chocolate - heresy, I know, but, on balance, I do prefer it (Cluizel especially) to dark chocolate. That said, Gareth, I can't agree with your "Dairy Milk is good" signature. Whenever I try some I'm always left with a fatty, sticky deposit on the roof of my mouth which takes ages to disappear. I'm always left feeling I'd like to wash out my mouth with Fairy Liquid. However, I know a lot of people like it - my family included.
Enthusiasm can often border on proselytism which can be irritating to many but I wouldn't call W. H-C pretentiousness. Undoubtedly, he's worked hard to get his product out and I wish him all the best. Cadbury's will probably buy him out in a few years time!

April 16, 20097:42 pm

garethmabbs

Birmingham, United Kingdom

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Gracie - thank you for your comments. I have tried the Green & Blacks route, because as you quite rightly said, it does fall under the Cadbury umbrella, but unfortunately it is not Cadbury branded, therefore i'm not allowed to use it and then label it with the Cadbury logo. This is a shame, as G&B has a great range and I have a plethora of products I could have made with it!
Marcellus - that fatty greasy deposit on the roof of your mouth rocks! I love the fact that 10 minutes after eating a bar or two of the good stuff, you still have a lovely reminder of what you just devoured!

Dairy Milk is good.

Dairy Milk is good.

April 16, 20097:48 pm

garethmabbs

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By the way Marcellus, call me stupid if you like, but what the hell is "proselytism?" I have a fairly good grasp of English (even though I am a scouser) but I can safely say I have never heard of that word!